Hey, this time I want to share some thoughts with you about buying from online, so, read on and If you have any comments, I’ll be happy to hear them.

I have been buying from the internet for almost 12 years, and yes, I did not had a credit card on that time, I used my friends credit card or make him buy it for me, I used to buy books from Amazon, because, Books in Egypt are very expensive, even after I pay the customs clearance, it is still cheaper than buy it from Egypt J really, it was very annoying for me because, I have to buy the book without even see it or read reviews, now, on the internet, you can find many sites with hundreds of reviews about products such as Amazon.com and CNet.com as well.

When I was in Kuwait, I tried to buy from Amazon but, because of the bad mailing system, I lost my packages and I waited for a couple of months to have my things, so, I basically stopped buying books from online. I have never thought that I might buy electronics from abroad because, of warranty issues and Amazon doesn’t sell electronics for non US customers.

After a while, I heard about Aramex, and they are providing a new shopping philosophy or opportunity by it will provide a US address located in NY (and UK address as well) so, I buy from any seller and send it to my US address and they will forward the parcel to me in any place that I’m currently in. so, I went along with my friend Kazem (one of my best friends), and I remember that day as it was yesterday with all the details around it, as this day was the first day to me to have money in my pocket J, because of that, I kept buying things and things and things all the latest technologies and other accessories that I can’t find in Kuwait, even if I can find it, it won’t be the same specs.

So, day after day, I buy things and Kuwait doesn’t add taxes to the incoming parcels as long as it is not in a big quantities and for personal use, but, from 2 months ago, Kuwait’s authorities added new rules which is surprise….. it’s CUSTOMS J, as I expected everybody has subscribed in Aramex (they reached 5 digits numbers of users, ONLY in KUWAIT) and everybody are buying from outside and the local sellers are losing the market L, so, it was not suspected that this step will happen.

From that and on, Aramex started to delay the shipments and they are stating that it is delayed (4 to 7 days and sometimes MORE) in customs , it never appears on the online tracking, you have to call to check whether it is arrived or not, so, I started to feel happy because, this will make me save some money, Hurray J but, it was not like that, again one of my good friends told me about DHL (EasyShop) and I went for it, I paid the same initial fees and I subscribed, I brought some kitchen ware from Amazon and shipped it to DHL address, and guess what, it took Only 3 days to be ready for pick up… wow, only 2 hours in customs and my things are out, so, I was surprised that it was very quick, it knocked Aramex away, I have contacted Aramex helpdesk and I hope they do better for the 5 digits number of users, they are still the top in the shipping forwarders list, but, if they continue like that, they will be at the bottom very soon.

Here is a copy of what I have sent to them today:

“Hi, I have contacted Aramex through telephone and I complained about Customs inspection delay, it's very notable that it takes too much time 4 days or more, I'm very unhappy with that, I have been an aramex client for about 3 years, and I have brought hundreds of parcel through Aramex.

Aramex must try to resolve these kind of delays in a professional matter just in order to compete with other competitors, I'm here to tell you my experience with DHL EasyShop, and how much I'm very happy with that, YES, they have only 2 flights to Kuwait, but, I can track down my package with each step. out of curiosity, I have paid about $34 or something just for trying it out not seriously, anyway, they gave me an address in OH, I have used it to buy from Amazon (Over $100), packages was quickly delivered and was recorded on my account almost the same time I received the delivery note from the carrier (FEDEX or else), and I was very impressed, not like Aramex (2 days or something), and after 1 day, the package was on the move, anyways, DHL delivered the package for me in 3 days ONLY, so, basically, it was cool and the surprise is it is the SAME PRICE as ARAMEX.

Another thing, When I have registered at DHL, they made me to choose the best Pickup point for me in Kuwait, and they have 3 not only one.

Hi again, I have recieved a reply from Aramex after almost a week :) I was amazed that they didn't give me something tagable, only somekind automated reply, and the thing that I find ugly that they just closed the support ticket/issue, so, I won't even comment on their solution, as they are trying to tell me "Accept it"

That's bad, here is a copy from the whole ticket

Submitted by

Mohamed A G Soliman

Priority

Normal

Assignee

Mohammed Alnahas

Status

Closed

Category

Shop&Ship

Subcategory

Submit a Complaint

Time Logged

12/16/2009 1:09:39 PM

Summary

S&S: Aramex and Customs

Description

Hi, I have contacted Aramex through telephone and I complained about Customs inspection delay, it's very notable that it takes too much time 4 days or more, I'm very unhappy with that, I have been an aramex client for about 3 years, and I have brought hundreds of parcel through Aramex.
Aramex must try to resolve these kind of delays in a professional matter just in order to compete with other competitors, I'm here to tell you my experience with DHL EasyShop, and how much I'm very happy with that, YES, they have only 2 flights to Kuwait, but, I can track down my package with each step. out of curiosity, I have paid about $34 or something just for trying it out not seriously, anyway, they gave me an address in OH, I have used it to buy from Amazon (Over $100), packages was quickly delivered and was recorded on my account almost the same time I received the delivery note from the carrier (FEDEX or else), and I was very impressed, not like Aramex (2 days or something), and after 1 day, the package was on the move, anyways, DHL delivered the package for me in 3 days ONLY, so, basically, it was cool and the surprise is it is the SAME PRICE as ARAMEX.

Another thing, When I have registered at DHL, they made me to choose the best Pickup point for me in Kuwait, and they have 3 not only one.

so, the question is? Shall I continue to use ARAMEX?

I'll leave that to you to answer.

Request History

Changes Done

Description

Time

Req. Notified

Status changed to Closed.

Dear Valued Customer,

Thank you for using our online SHOP&SHIP customer service and please accept our apology for the inconvenience caused.

In regards to your complaint, we would like to inform you that we are currently working in expediting the clearance processes with Kuwaiti customs to have your packages delivered to you with the minimum time possible.

At the present time we are facing strict customs inspection which is causing a delay in delivering shipments.

Once again, we kindly ask you to accept our sincere apology for the inconvenience caused.

At Aramex, we care, we deliver.

Best regards,
Aramex SHOP&SHIP Customer Service

12/22/2009 04:04 PM

True

Status changed to In Progress. Category changed to Shop&Ship . Subcategory changed to Submit a Complaint.Request Due date has changed from 12/19/2009 to 12/21/2009

Dear Valued Customer,

Thank you for using our online SHOP&SHIP customer service.

We take this opportunity to thank you for choosing Aramex as your transportation partner and for bringing this unfortunate incident to our attention. We acknowledge the receipt of your complaint. Your complaint will be addressed and an investigation will be launched immediately.

We kindly ask you to accept our sincere apology for the inconvenience caused.

At Aramex, we care, we deliver.

Best regards,
Aramex SHOP&SHIP Customer Service

12/17/2009 11:58 AM

True

Assignee changed from MaryamA to MohammedAln. Category changed to Service Inquiry. Subcategory changed to Shop & Ship.Request Due date has changed from 12/17/2009 to 12/19/2009